Leslie Kiernan Quoted in The New York Times on Cabinet Vetting Process

Media Mentions & Press Releases, &nbspFebruary 10, 2017

February 10, 2017

The New York Times has quoted Akin Gump partner Leslie Kiernan in the article “Trump Team Didn’t Put Nominees to ‘Sex, Drugs and Rock ’n’ Roll’ Test,” regarding certain screenings that, according to the article, were not carried out for President Trump’s cabinet nominees.

The article refers to what are informally known as the “sex, drugs and rock ’n’ roll” questions often given to nominees to prepare them for the confirmation process. The goal, the article states, is to have the most serious issues figured out well before the FBI conducts background checks and before financial disclosure statements are filed.

According to Kiernan, a former Deputy White House Counsel for President Barack Obama, “The vetting process is designed to identify issues about fitness and confirmability prior to public announcement.”